Alou Diarra on verge of signing for West Ham

France midfielder Alou Diarra is on the verge of joining English Premiership side West Ham, media reports said on Thursday, adding that the Marseille player has only to pass a medical.

The 31-year-old, who signed for the southern French club from Bordeaux last year, is finalising his departure before signing for the east London side, La Provence daily added.

Diarra, who has played for Lens and Lyon in Ligue 1, has already got experience of England's top flight, having spent a short time at Liverpool in 2002.

Reports have suggested that another Marseille player could be heading across the Channel -- Spanish defender Cesar Azpiulicueta, who played in the Olympics. Chelsea are understood to be interested.

Marseille coach Elie Baup, who took over when Didier Deschamps accepted the job of France manager, said key players would probably leave the club "but I have had a guarantee that they will be replaced".